Tibetan Traditions - Worship of White

In Tibet, white is the most common color and the most favorite color of Tibetans. In the long winter, Tibet is a white snow ocean. Even in summer, the Himalayas in south of plateau and the Gandise Range in south of plateau are covered by white snow. The white snow accompanies Tibetans for the four seasons. There is an old saying that "a snow year, a rich year". Hence, the worship of gratitude and awe cause by white snow wells up Tibetans' hearts.

In the cruel environment of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, people living on agriculture production and livestock production. The main agriculture production is barley, while the main livestock is sheep. The tsamba which grinded by the barley is white; the barley wine which brewed with barley is white; the dress of Tibetans is made up from the white wool; the butter tea is white; and the milk is white … In conclusion, the white things feed people and maintain their lives. The white gives people so much and so important things. Hence, the white is the adoring color of Tibetans. And the wordhip of white can be found in every aspect of Tibetan traditions.

Tibet Traditions - Worship of White in Supernatural World

In Tibet, the white is the symbol of justice, kindness, nobility, purity, auspiciousness and happiness. People also connect the gods in their imagination with white. For example, the white Mt.Everest is named "Auspicious and Macrobian Goddess" in white dress by Tibetan; the white Gandise Range is the "holy mountain" in Tibetans' hearts; and the common white stone is also regarded as "holy stone" by Tibetans. The white is also closely related with the Tibetan Buddhism which involves every aspect of Tibetan life. You can see white prayer flags, white Buddhism tower everywhere in Tibet. Furthermore, one of the five great sections- Kagyu Sect which worship white is named "White Section" by Tibetans. In Buddhism, the Avalokitesvara is also in white dress. On the contrary, the black is the symbol of evil and disaster. The devils in people's imagination are black.

Tibet Traditions - Worship of White in Daily Life

Tibetans not only give the symbolic meaning of white in imagination world, but also merge the white in their daily life, the real world. For example, the Tibetan robe often matches with white short, the tents often in white, and the auspicious patterns on the door are panted with white color. In daily intercourse, Tibetans often present white Hada to express their best wishes. When girl marries off, riding white horse means good luck and auspiciousness. When have fun, Tibetans will hang a little white wool on the flagon. In funeral, Tibetans will use white tsamba to lead the way to the paradise.